HF stud gun for pulling dents

[signcrafter]

Anyone have the HF stud gun, http://www.harborfreight.com/stud-welder-dent-repair-kit-98357.html? It's on sale for 100 bucks so after coupon 80 bucks. I have some body work to do, it's going to be more of a learning experience then anything else! I have a truck that's been sitting for a while now and has a few dents from small to major that I need to fix. I don't have a lot of money, more time then money. So I'm thinking about getting a stud gun and seeing if I can work the dents out, or how big of a mess I can make.

I see there are pro kits for 400 or so dollars, entry level for 150-200 dollars and the HF kit for 80 bucks. I'm only going to use this gun here and there, after this project might be a few years before it gets used again. Is the HF stud gun "good enough" for a DIYer? Or should I spend the extra 70-120 bucks on an entry level gun from one of the bigger names in the game?

Any tips on getting a used one? Ebay doesn't have much.

 

[e-tek]

Assuming you actually work on a lot a of cars, especially newer ones, I'd grab one for $80 for sure. I've been working on and restoring cars for 30 years and never needed one enough to buy one for $400, but for $80 - sure!

 

[b1ghwx]

Find yourself a 25% off.... and feel even better @ $75

 

[signcrafter]

Assuming you actually work on a lot a of cars, especially newer ones, I'd grab one for $80 for sure. I've been working on and restoring cars for 30 years and never needed one enough to buy one for $400, but for $80 - sure!

I don't work on a lot of cars and especially not body work, new territory for me. Just our vehicles and family and friends which doesn't include too much major body work. So the gun will sit on a shelf most of it's life. Just want to make sure the HF will work good enough for the few times I will need it.

 

[PCO6]

I'm "cheap" and have mig welded common nails to dents and used a slide hammer. I've had pretty good luck with that but at $80 I'd give one a try.

 

[justanengineer]

I looked at several of the truck branded ones as well as the "magazine specials" like Eastwood etc. They all look strikingly similar, same factory in China maybe?

FWIW, you never know if you like/wanna make more of a hobby of something until you try it. Ive got the cheapo HF stud welder and its worked well for my limited use.

 

[signcrafter]

I looked at several of the truck branded ones as well as the "magazine specials" like Eastwood etc. They all look strikingly similar, same factory in China maybe?

FWIW, you never know if you like/wanna make more of a hobby of something until you try it. Ive got the cheapo HF stud welder and its worked well for my limited use.

I think a few of them are made in the USA still, the snap on one says USA. But you're right they all look pretty much the same. I believe it's just a transformer on the inside. Glad to hear the HF works good. I think I'm going to go ahead and pick one up and try it out. Use it for this project to learn on and if I need to upgrade in the future I will.

 

[Zeke]

I have one. If you look around for comments people will tell you that the puller part ***** and it does. Throw it away. The gun burned up after 100 studs or so and I took it apart. It's a cheap POS inside with a trigger, a transformer and some leads. I redid the leads and it works now. This is one case where you don't even get what you pay for.

But, it will work, just beware.

 

[signcrafter]

I have one. If you look around for comments people will tell you that the puller part ***** and it does. Throw it away. The gun burned up after 100 studs or so and I took it apart. It's a cheap POS inside with a trigger, a transformer and some leads. I redid the leads and it works now. This is one case where you don't even get what you pay for.

But, it will work, just beware.

So would you suggest I spend a few extra bucks and get an entry level kit like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FZJ806/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[KMinAF]

I have one. If you look around for comments people will tell you that the puller part ***** and it does. Throw it away. The gun burned up after 100 studs or so and I took it apart. It's a cheap POS inside with a trigger, a transformer and some leads. I redid the leads and it works now. This is one case where you don't even get what you pay for.

But, it will work, just beware.

X2. The puller didn't last. Not worth the money even with a coupon

 

[Zeke]

You can buy a puller with vicegrips on the end. That works fine if you don't snap the stud off while attaching.

 

[54FordPanel]

I have one, it's worked good for me so far.

 

[HD FLHX]

I looked at several of the truck branded ones as well as the "magazine specials" like Eastwood etc. They all look strikingly similar, same factory in China maybe?

The Motor Guard brand stud gun is made in the USA. Had mine over 17yrs now and still works flawlessly. Its one of those tools that you can get by without, but if you have one it sure makes life a lot easier. For limited use I think the HF would probably work fine for you. You could always buy the extended warranty for a little more peace of mind.

 

[Jere]

I'm "cheap" and have mig welded common nails to dents and used a slide hammer. I've had pretty good luck with that but at $80 I'd give one a try.

I like that nail idea! I have been thinking about welding washers and using the washers' hole as something to hook onto with a puller.


Does anyone have any homemade improvised pullers? Maybe vise grips with a long bolt/all thread?

I have a hard time justifying one use only tools does anyone have any other uses for the stud gun?

 

[jaysonb]

I welded a vice grip on the end of a cheap slide hammer, then just weld little "pull plates" on the body. Works good, and cost me nothing.

 

[Trey T]

I like the motor guard much better than the HF. The HF just didn't give enough heat or something and I was struggling with it.

 

[Quickster]

Stud gun

+ This

http://www.studbuddytool.com/

Or

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/steck-stud-lever-20014-p-16707.aspx

 

[Lhorn]

So would you suggest I spend a few extra bucks and get an entry level kit like this, http://www.amazon.com/Autoshot-4550-...f=pd_sxp_f_pt?

That's the one I bought. Works flawlessly. Even the puller works well. I paid less than that Amazon price about 2-3 years ago. HF was tempting but at the time the price difference was small enough that I chose the known quantity over the price. Stud gun is the kind of thing you might put on a shelf for 5+ years and want to be confident it works when you need it again. I've heard decent things about the HF though.

 

[signcrafter]

Seems like some have had good luck with it and some bad luck with it. Knowing my luck I would be in the bad luck group. Not sure if I want to gamble or just get one of the nicer ones.

 

[stratman977]

The shrinking tip that goes into the autoshot one comes in handy. Don't know if you can get a tip for the harbor freight one. Just another consideration.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O3GDI6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Monkey Milk]

The one thing I heard about the cheaper stud guns are the sliding hammer slips off the studs, the better sliding hammer cost 100, so something to keep in mind when buying the HF model.